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Michigan Avenue - 2015 - Issue 7 - November - Duncan Keith

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL RICHERT (PRINCESS YASMIN) "We're fi nding mechanisms to boost the dollars that we need to accelerate treatment. That's how we' ll make progress."— DR. DEAN HARTLEY the lack of funding," says Hartley, noting that can- cer and heart disease receive between $4 billion and $6 billion per year in research money, while Alzheimer's is at just $600 million. In December 2014, Congress took a step toward rectifying that imbalance with the passage of the Alzheimer's Accountability Act, which gives the National Institutes of Health the opportunity to tell Congress each year how much it needs in funding. "So we're fi nding these mechanisms to boost the dollars that we need to accelerate [treatments]," says Hartley, a note of hope in his voice. "That's how we'll make that progress." Back in Chicago, at the Rita Hayworth Gala, as Princess Yasmin Aga Khan leans in to be heard over the strains of the jazz band, she, too, speaks with cautious optimism, tempered by the awareness that the fi ght is far from over. "We're getting close, and I think there's hope," she says. "I'm proud that the Alzheimer's Association is what it is today, and that it has spread the word nationally and internation- ally. And I'm proud of all the dollars that everyone has raised. But we're not there yet." MA from Biogen." His dream-world scenario? "The most optimistic forecast would be for the Lilly com- pound, which should be fi nished next year and therefore could be available in the market in about three years, if everything went perfectly." As patients and their families wait for the dis- covery of effective treatments, the Alzheimer's Association is focusing its efforts on disease pre- vention and brain health with its "10 Ways to Love Your Brain" program, which was unveiled on June 1 in recognition of Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month and encourages general lifestyle improve- ments, such as regular cardiovascular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and continuing edu- cation. "We never want to give people a recipe of what they can do [that will mean] you're not going to get Alzheimer's, because nobody knows that," says Fazio, who led the development of the program. "But there's been good research on exercise and on diet, so this new program is really all about aging well. It looks at four pillars: cognitive activity, physi- cal exercise and health, diet and nutrition, and social engagement. It's basically a healthy-aging program. We're talking about aging in general versus just brain health, because it's really about all we do to age well. Brain health is one piece of it. It's all stuff we should be doing." HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Even the experts know that brain health can do only so much without effective treatments for Alzheimer's on the market. In 2011, President Obama signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act, a plan to fi nd effective treatments by 2025 — but, ultimately, the program's success will depend on dollars. "One of our biggest impediments now is Princess Yasmin Aga Khan speaking at the Rita Hayworth Gala, the fundraiser she founded in memory of her mother. FROM LEFT: Larry Ruvo, founder of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, with his father, Lou Ruvo, who battled with Alzheimer's disease. 126 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM Alzheimer's are grave, Melanie Chavin, chief program offi cer of the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Illinois Chapter (alz.org/illinois), believes there is plenty to be hopeful about in the Windy City. "We're pretty resource-rich for people who are living with the disease," Chavin says, citing the Alzheimer's Association's national headquarters downtown (in addition to the Greater Illinois Chapter's status as one of the nonprofi t's largest branches, serv- ing 68 counties throughout Illinois) as well as two National Institutes of Health–funded Alzheimer's disease centers at Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern University. For Chicagoans looking to join the fi ght against Alzheimer's disease, Chavin suggests the following: Become an advocate. "One reason why we've been able to see increases in funding for Alzheimer's research on the federal level is that we have a remarkable group that will contact Congressmen," notes Chavin. "Continuing to push our government is so important." Register at alz.org/advocacy/take-action.asp. Raise funds. "The Alzheimer's Association is the largest private funder of Alzheimer's research in the world," says Chavin, who recommends participating in Chicago's annual Walk to End Alzheimer's next September. Visit act.alz.org/walk. Get engaged. "We need funding for research, but we also need people to participate in research," explains Chavin. She encourages Chicagoans to register for the Alzheimer's Association's TrialMatch program, which matches clinical studies to individuals in a specifi c area. Register at trialmatch.alz.org. For more information, call the Alzheimer's Association's 24-hour helpline at 1-800- 272-3900 or contact gichelpline@alz.org.

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